Three ways to help you climb the career ladder faster

Having been a recruiter for more than 20 years, I have met with thousands of professionals to discuss their career goals. Typically, they are looking for advice in three areas: how to get a promotion or pay rise with their current employer; how to change employers or industries; and how to move to a “portfolio” career (that is, consulting to multiple companies).

If you’re trying to work your way up the career ladder, let’s take a look at what it takes to reach your full potential.

Moving up in the world of work takes a bit of persistence, and might make you a bit uncomfortable.Credit: Bloomberg

1. Getting a promotion/pay rise with your current employer. Many professionals expect that if they work hard, they will be recognised for their efforts and that they will be rewarded accordingly.

Often, they come to me upset that the rewards haven’t come and as a result, they start looking for a new job. However, most of the time, the disgruntled employee has never directly asked their boss for what they want.

Perhaps there’s been some loose conversation about it at the annual performance review but in an ad hoc manner.

Here’s a great question to ask your boss. “In 12 months’ time, I would like to be promoted to a more senior role (or a $20,000 pay rise – whatever your goal is). What specifically do I need to achieve for you to make this happen?”

You need to get in front of your preferred employers of choice before they know they need you.

Your boss should respect and appreciate you for being direct. After all, they want to retain high achievers. Get them to give you at least a few specific, quantifiable key deliverables. Document them and then most importantly, achieve them. Refer to them regularly in your meetings and keep your boss updated on your progress.

Of course, if your boss can’t commit to what you want or the goals they want you to achieve are unrealistic, then either negotiate for a different outcome or start looking for a new job. At least you know you have tried your best by being open about your desires.

2. Changing employers or industries. It’s a commonly held belief that at least 80 per cent of the best jobs are never advertised or recruited in the open job market, and instead are recruited through the “hidden” job market.

What does this mean? Employers identify someone who can solve their problems or take away their pain, and hire them, whether they have a vacancy or not.

If you limit your job search to applying only for advertised roles or speaking with recruiters, you are missing out on the bulk of employment opportunities. Also, recruiters generally only prioritise candidates with direct relevant experience.

So how do you access the hidden job market? You need to get in front of your preferred employers of choice before they know they need you.

Research the companies to identify who your role would most likely report to. Connect with them on LinkedIn (most will have a profile) and email them asking for a 15-minute introductory meeting.

Don’t reach out to HR (unless you are an HR professional) – instead, make sure you target your anticipated line manager. HR typically deals with existing vacancies plus myriad other tasks. The line manager will have a more strategic view of their business and human capital requirements and will be more likely to want to meet.

As long as your background is relevant, and you have a LinkedIn profile that articulates your key achievements and transferable skills, these hiring managers will want to meet you. If they can hire you without paying a recruitment fee, all the better for them.

I have coached well over 1000 executives through their job search and when people apply this methodology consistently and proactively, they are typically amazed at how quickly they find a new job.

3. Moving to a portfolio career. Similarly, when you are ready to step up into consulting, note that many consulting or short-term project roles rarely get advertised. If you are looking for these opportunities, go directly to the organisations you are eager to work with.

Following these simple strategies will significantly improve your ability to achieve your dream job and have a rich and fulfilling career. Yes, it does require you to get out of your comfort zone, but like most things in life, fortune favours the brave.

Richard Triggs, author of Winning the War for Talent, is the founder and CEO of Arete Executive, an executive search and recruitment company.

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